How to Track Someone’s Location Via Text Messages: 9 Ways

Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to know someone’s location just by a simple text message? Whether you're a concerned parent, a friend keeping tabs, or someone trying to recover a lost phone, there are valid reasons why location tracking can be incredibly useful.

Thanks to advancements in technology, getting a text message location tracker has become easier and more accessible than ever — and, yes, some methods work simply by sending or receiving a text. In this article, we’ll explore the top 9 effective and secure methods for tracking a person’s location through text messages. 

Let’s dive into the details so you can stay informed and connected with peace of mind.

Can Someone Track Location Through Text Messages?

Yes, tracking someone’s location through text messages is possible, and it’s easier than you might think! With the right tools and permissions, text-based location tracking has become a reliable way to stay connected and ensure safety. 

From simple built-in features to specialized apps, there are multiple methods available. 

One popular choice is SpyPhone, a free app that offers robust phone spying and location tracking features without complicated setups. 

Whether you need to keep an eye on a loved one or retrieve a misplaced device, let’s explore the methods that make location tracking through texts simple and effective.

How to Track Someone’s Location Via Text Messages?

Method # 1: Best free text message location tracker

SpyPhone is a free, feature-packed app specifically designed for location tracking. It uses GPS-based location tracking as part of its comprehensive monitoring tools, allowing users to view the real-time location of a device and access a complete location history. 

SpyPhone runs invisibly in the background on the target device, meaning the person being tracked won’t be alerted to it. Plus, once installed, it doesn’t require constant access to the target phone, making it ideal for discreet tracking.

Why It’s Effective:

SpyPhone's invisible operation and real-time GPS tracking make it an excellent choice for reliable and private location tracking without frequent device access.

Here’s how you can use SpyPhone to track messages, live location, and many other aspects of the target device:

Step 1: Set Up Your SpyPhone Account

To get started with SpyPhone, begin by creating an account. Visit the SpyPhone website. The sign-up process is simple and efficient, allowing you to move on to the next steps without any hassle.

Step 2: Select the Target Device

After creating your account, the next step is to select the device you want to monitor. Whether it’s an iPhone or Android, SpyPhone is compatible with both platforms. For iPhone users, SpyPhone’s compatibility with iOS 18 ensures smooth integration. 

Step 3: Start Monitoring the Target Device

Once connection is complete, you’re ready to start tracking through the SpyPhone dashboard. Here, you can view detailed information such as calls, text messages, social media activities, and location history. The dashboard updates in real-time, so you’ll always stay informed. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to switch between features like GPS tracking, message monitoring, and multimedia access.

Method # 2: Enable Location Tracking Through iMessage on iPhone

Apple's iMessage offers a built-in location-sharing feature that lets users share their location with trusted contacts. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Open Contacts on the target iPhone.
2. Select Share My Location and choose your device as the recipient.

This allows you to see their real-time location directly from your own iPhone, making it an ideal solution for iPhone-to-iPhone tracking.

Limitations:

• Only works if the target user has an iPhone and enables location sharing.
• The user must grant location-sharing permission so they will be aware of the tracking.
• If the person decides to turn off location sharing, tracking will stop.

Method # 3: Share Location via SMS with Built-In Phone Features

Most smartphones have built-in location-sharing features that allow users to share their position via SMS, regardless of device brand.

How It Works:

1. On the target phone, open the Messages app.
2. Select the contact and tap on the Share Location option.
3. Choose how long to share the location (options like 1 hour, until the end of the day, etc., are usually available).

Limitations:

• Requires the target person’s consent, as they must actively share their location.
• Location sharing will automatically stop after the chosen duration.
• Visible to the user, so it’s not suitable for discreet tracking.

Method # 4: Using Find My Device and Find My iPhone for Text Location Tracking

Both Apple and Android devices offer “Find My” services that help locate a lost or connected device.

How It Works:

• For iPhone: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Find My iPhone and enable location sharing with your device.

• For Android: Download and set up Find My Device from the Google Play Store or use it through a browser with the Google account linked to the target device.

Limitations:

• The user must sign in to a shared iCloud (for iPhone) or Google account (for Android) for continuous tracking.
• These features are often enabled for lost-device retrieval and are not always ideal for tracking someone without their knowledge.
• The person being tracked will receive alerts when the location is accessed in certain cases.

Method # 5: Get Their Location with SMS-Based Tracking Services

Some third-party services allow tracking by sending a location-requesting SMS that the user can approve to share their location.

How It Works:

1. Sign up with an SMS-based tracking service.
2. Send a location request through the service to the target phone.
3. Once the recipient approves the request, their location will be sent to you via SMS.

Limitations:

• The person must approve the request for location sharing so it cannot be done discreetly.
• Some services may require a fee for each tracking request.
• Limited to one-time location updates and not continuous tracking.

Method # 6: Use WhatsApp Live Location to See Their Position

WhatsApp offers a real-time location-sharing feature, making it easy for users to share their location with contacts.

How It Works:

1. Open WhatsApp and select the target contact’s chat.
2. Tap the Attachment icon and choose Location.
3. Select Share Live Location and specify a sharing duration (15 minutes, 1 hour, or 8 hours).

Limitations:

• Requires active user consent, as they must agree to share their location.
• Tracking ends once the chosen duration expires.
• Not available if the person does not use WhatsApp or has restricted location permissions.

Method # 7: Track Location via Facebook Messenger’s Location Sharing

Facebook Messenger allows location sharing with contacts for a limited duration.

How It Works:

1. Open Facebook Messenger and start a conversation with the target person.
2. Tap the + icon or Location icon in the chat.
3. Select Share Live Location and choose how long to share.

Limitations:

• The person must consent to share their location, making it visible to them.
• Tracking ends once the time limit expires.
• Only works if both parties have Facebook Messenger installed.

Method # 8: Utilize a SIM Card Tracking App for Direct Location Access

SIM card tracking apps can use the cell tower triangulation technique to estimate the phone’s location, even if GPS isn’t enabled.

How It Works:

1. Install a compatible SIM card tracking app on the target phone.
2. The app will provide location data based on nearby cell towers and relay this to your phone.

Limitations:

• Limited accuracy, as it’s dependent on cell towers rather than GPS.
• Requires the app to be installed on the target device, so the user may be aware.
• Accuracy can vary greatly in areas with fewer cell towers.

Method # 9: Send a Location-Requesting Link with Google Maps or Apple Maps

Google Maps and Apple Maps let users share their location temporarily by sending a tracking link via text.

How It Works:

1. Open Google Maps or Apple Maps on the target device.
2. Go to Location Sharing and choose Send via Link to generate a tracking link.
3. Text the link to your device for real-time tracking.

Limitations:

• It requires the target person to share the location link so they will know they are being tracked.
• Only provides temporary tracking and will end after a specified time limit.

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What Are the Best Way to track a text message location

When it comes to tracking someone’s location via text messages, SpyPhone Tracker is one of the most effective location trackers on the market. What makes SpyPhone stand out isn’t just its GPS-based location tracking but its ability to operate in complete stealth mode. Once installed on the target device, SpyPhone runs invisibly, ensuring that the person being monitored remains completely unaware.

For someone seeking peace of mind or security, SpyPhone’s discreet tracking provides a seamless solution without the worry of detection. The app updates location in real-time, giving you accurate insights whether you're concerned about a loved one's safety or trying to locate a lost device. 

With SpyPhone, you don’t just get access to GPS coordinates; you get a powerful tracking tool that respects your need for privacy, all while being incredibly user-friendly. It’s designed with the user’s priorities in mind, ensuring that you can monitor discreetly, effectively, and effortlessly.

FAQs about text message location tracking

How do I see someone's location on messages?

To view someone’s location via text messages, you’ll need to use an app that offers location-tracking features, like SpyPhone. With SpyPhone installed on the target phone, you can access real-time location data directly through the app’s dashboard. Alternatively, some phone services allow users to share their location directly through apps like iMessage, WhatsApp, or Google Maps.

Can a text message be traced?

Yes, text messages can be traced in various ways. Apps like SpyPhone can access and monitor messages on the target device, allowing you to view the time, sender, and content of each text. For precise location, however, an app with GPS tracking capabilities is required.

Can you see where someone sent a text from?

Yes, with a monitoring app like SpyPhone, you can see the GPS location of the target device when texts are sent. This allows you to have a better sense of where the person was at the time of sending or receiving messages, which can be especially useful for safety monitoring.

Is the SpyPhone monitoring software undetectable?

Absolutely. SpyPhone is designed to run in invisible mode, making it undetectable to the person being monitored. The app operates silently in the background, ensuring complete discretion. This means that users can monitor their target device without fear of being detected.

Does SpyPhone really work?

Yes, SpyPhone is a powerful tool that delivers reliable and accurate tracking results. With its real-time GPS tracking, text message monitoring, and other advanced features, SpyPhone is trusted by users for its efficiency and performance. It provides location updates and access to social media, calls, and messages, offering a complete monitoring solution for those who need it.

Conclusion

If you read the whole article carefully, you will find that all the above methods of tracking location via SMS have their own advantages and disadvantages. With tools like SpyPhone, tracking someone's location via SMS has become more convenient and useful than ever. It allows for real-time GPS tracking, location history, and stealth mode of operation.

If you want to know more detailed information about tracking someone's location via text messages, you can check out our other blog "Where is My Husband Right Now", which provides in-depth insights and useful tips on this topic.